Ex-cop heads in new direction

by Nelson A. King in New York

27.APR.07When Emrey Jack-Alexander was a police officer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, he lived the “good life” – chased women, notorious among many, if not most, officers, and had a good time, but not in the Lord.

But after migrating to New York, Jack-Alexander’s life has been completely transformed. (Will somebody say “amen” to that?){{more}}

Earlier this month, he was ordained a minister and evangelist at Judah Worship Center in Brooklyn.

He’s now the Rev. Emrey Jack-Alexander, licensed to ordain elders, dedicate babies, conduct funeral services, administer the Lord’s Supper, and perform matrimonial services, among other things.

“It’s a joyful thing when you consider you’re working for God,” said Jack-Alexander, who, in eight years, had risen to the rank of sergeant in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, before migrating in 1990, in a Searchlight interview.

“It’s something that gives you pleasure, knowing that when this life is over, you’ll be going to the eternal home,” added the former elementary school teacher, who was born in Questelles, but nurtured by his grandmother, Mabel Cottle, in neighboring Chauncey.

(The Cottles are also popular in Vermont and Troumaca, among other places. Jack-Alexander said he is related to former West Indies wicket keeper Mike Findlay, whose mother is a Cottle from Troumaca).

“This ordination, this calling is a great thing,” Jack-Alexander continued. “I witnessed the consecration of my Bishop (Kenroy Cuffy from Georgetown); and when I experienced mine, his consecration came back to me, which tells me I’m on the right track.”

Like most young people at home, Jack-Alexander grew up in the church. In the early 1970’s, he was very active in the Chauncey Methodist Church, becoming secretary in the Youth Fellowship.

But when he enlisted in the police force in 1976, after teaching at the Questelles and Clare Valley Government schools for four years, he strayed away from his early Christian teachings.

He, however, re-discovered the redemptive power of Jesus Christ in 1996 while attending the Apostolic Doctrine Pentecostal Times Assembly in Brooklyn, fully giving his life to Christ.

“One Sunday, Evelyn Jones (formerly from Dubois) invited me to this church, and I kept going until I finally accepted Christ,” Jack-Alexander said.

“I just wanted to make a change in my life, and my fiancée (Brenda), now my wife, a die-hard Christian, gave me a lot of support,” he added.

In 1997, he was ordained a Deacon at the Apostolic Doctrine Pentecostal Times Assembly; and, a year later, he and his wife graduated from the Evangelism Class at Mount Olive Bible Institution in Brooklyn.

In 2000, the Alexanders obtained their Associate’s degree from the same bible school.

Before joining Judah Worship Center in January 2006, Jack-Alexander spent seven years at Attributes of Christ Ministries, under the leadership of Rev. William Muckett, another Vincentian pastor, where he was also a Deacon.

“I give God thanks and praise for His goodness towards me,” he said, for turning his life around.

“I view my ministry very seriously and acknowledge it’s a higher call to service for the Lord,” he added.

“It is my endeavor to be obedient to God’s command,” he continued. “That is, to go into the world and preach the gospel to lost and dying souls.”

Brenda Alexander, also a former police officer, who hails from Top Belair, said she was very proud of her husband’s calling.

“Looking back at his past and where God has brought him to, it is a tremendous blessing and progress,” said the youth coordinator at United Community Baptist Church in Brooklyn.

“It is my prayer that he will be steadfast in the things of God and continue to go from strength to strength,” she added.

Bishop Cuffy described Jack-Alexander as “one of the best workers God has sent my way.”

“He’s very efficient in what he does and very committed,” he said, adding that Jack-Alexander exemplifies a famous quote by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill: “You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.”